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Lennon keen to keep up Kilmarnock run ahead of Old Firm

NEIL LENNON is well aware of the statistic that has been inevitably thrown the way of Celtic managers in recent years every time…

Sat Dec 24 2011 - 00:00

NEIL LENNON is well aware of the statistic that has been inevitably thrown the way of Celtic managers in recent years every time that Kilmarnock visit Parkhead.

The Ayrshire side has not won in the east end of Glasgow since December, 1955 and are believed by many to be no more than a warm-up for Celtic ahead of the crunch Old Firm game at Parkhead next Wednesday.

Lennon’s side have won seven SPL games in a row and are odds-on favourites to make it eight today, but he would rather not tempt fate.

Lennon, whose side have moved within four points of leaders Rangers, was waiting for the 1955 statistic to be mentioned.

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“Every time they come here I get asked that,” he said. “Obviously it’s a record that I would like to keep intact.

“We want to make it eight games in a row going into the Rangers game on the 28th.

“It is important to go into that game on the back of a win, just to maintain the run and keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

“The players are in buoyant mood at the minute without being complacent.

“I think we are playing well. Whether the players have hit the heights that they can I don’t know, but there have been some great performances.

“Some individuals are playing at the top of their game at the moment. But the character of the team has pleased me the most.

“Seven wins in a row is not an easy achievement but the way they are playing at the minute, it is going to take a good team to stop us now. But there is a long way to go in the season.”

Emilio Izaguirre returns to the Celtic squad after recovering from a broken ankle sustained against Aberdeen in August, while midfielders Joe Ledley and Northern Ireland international Paddy McCourt return from ankle and calf strains respectively.

Republic of Ireland striker Anthony Stokes is still a doubt with a calf strain, while defender Daniel Majstorovic is out for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

For Kilmarnock, Dean Shiels will test out his injured ankle, while fellow midfielder James Fowler returns from suspension. Striker William Gros and defender Ryan O’Leary remain on the sidelines.